Today, the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, officers from Merseyside Police and businesses across the region are joining forces for Safer Business Action Day.
Local policing teams will be undertaking proactive patrols, plain clothed operations, talking to shop owners and engaging with local communities to show their commitment to tackling business-related crime.
From today, a QR code reporting system is rolling out for Merseyside businesses, to make reporting crimes such as shoplifting easier for security and staff. Advertised on stickers in retail spaces, once scanned the QR code links directly to the police online reporting page.
It allows for easier and faster reporting as once submitted, a crime reference number is generated which starts the investigative process.
Working in collaboration with Liverpool BID, the QR code has been trialled in Liverpool City Centre since September 2023 and has received positive feedback, with a significant increase in reporting during this time.
To further protect businesses and shop premises from burglaries and robberies, 100 SelectaDNA Intruder Spray kits will be installed in shops across the city centre, funded by the PCC and the police.
It’s hoped that the offender marking sprays, only used by security guards and retail staff following specialist training, will deter offenders from committing crimes in shop premises, keep stock from becoming stolen goods and protect customers and shop workers, who work tirelessly to serve communities.
Once sprayed at an offender, a unique DNA code is left that is only visible under UV light. It remains on the offender for weeks and can be used to forensically link offenders back to a particular incident, enhancing the likelihood of a successful conviction in court.
ACC for Local Policing, Criminal Justice and Prevention, Jenn Wilson, will be joining Liverpool officers on patrol and handing out body-worn cameras to independent retailers at St Johns Shopping Centre and Bold Street. The overt cameras, worn on the uniform of staff, aim to deter antisocial behaviour from the outset and provide the police with additional evidence when investigating crime.
The day will also feature a Retail Forum, where more than 30 retailers and business groups will meet with local officers and the PCC to set out tangible actions to tackle shoplifting and violence towards shop workers.
While this day of action is designed to raise awareness and clamp down on business crime, officers and partners work every day to tackle issues that stores and customers alike experience.
The Liverpool City Centre Joint Agency Group (CCJAG) is a multi-agency group that works collaboratively to tackle issues around business crime – it includes representatives from Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool One, St Johns Shopping Centre, Metquarter, Royal Albert Dock and Clayton Square.
In September 2023, the CCJAG set out new measures to target offenders and keep retail workers and the wider public safe, including:
- Joint patrols with Liverpool One and St Johns teams
- Dedicated SelectaDNA spray kit training for security guards and retail staff
- The roll-out of the QR code reporting system for businesses
- Further promotion of the DISC intelligence sharing platform, which allows businesses to share information that will assist in identifying shoplifters
- Providing city centre businesses with a dedicated police officer from the local policing team
- Enhancements to the BID radio network, connecting more than 180 active businesses to provide reassurance and intelligence sharing.
Since these new measures have been introduced, between September 2023 and January 2024, there has been an increase in crime reports being received by the force from retailers by 37.5% (when compared to the previous 12-month period).
Alongside this increase in the number of reported offences, there has also been a parallel increase in the number of positive outcomes, where offenders have been identified and robust action taken against them when comparing the afore mentioned five months to the five months prior to the new initiatives having been introduced (April 2023 to August 2023).
The number of offenders who have been charged and put before the court for shop theft offences in the City Centre has increased by 47.8% and the number of people receiving a caution has increased by 85.7%.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Retailers and businesses are the backbone of our communities.
“They provide a vital service to our communities, and I’m committed to supporting initiatives which protect them, their employees, and their customers. One way we can do this is by investing in vital funds into positive schemes which can prevent crime and improve the safety of businesses.
“As we mark Safer Business Action Day, I’m pleased we can announce these new measures all focused on tackling business-related crime. I’m also looking forward to meeting with retailers and business groups to discuss how we can work even closer together to keep retail workers safe and prevent the harm business crime can cause.”
